But do you know that stress is another thing that can negatively impact male fertility? One study1 by a University of Pennsylvania researcher Jennifer Chan, a neuroendocrinologist says stressed men may pass stress to their children.

How Does Men Passes Stress To Their Children?

This is a study in mice but it has significance on human males. There’s a reason mice are the number one choice as subjects in studies relating to human health.

The changes begin in caput epididymis, a part of the male reproductive tract. This is the place where sperm cells mature waiting for their release into the vaginal canal through the process of ejaculation.

In the caput epididymis, there is a glucocorticoid receptor, which is a stress-hormone receptor. In the study, eliminating this stress-hormone sensor prevents the transmission of stress.

During the study, Jennifer Chan found that offspring of the stressed mice dads overproduce corticosterone, a stress hormone. On the other hand, offspring of mice dads without the receptor in the epididymis have normal hormonal responses.

What About In Human Males?

The same vesicles can be found in human semen even after ejaculation. Jennifer Chan and team are testing humans for signs of stress of stress in the RNA.

Although the researchers do not have any recommendations on how to avoid this in human male, managing and keeping stress controllable is important. Today, due to the hectic and fast-moving environment, stress is very common in almost all walks of life.